Electric steam iron



A. WILD ELECTRIC STEAM IRON Aug., 14, 1951 Fgled July 5, 1945 Aug. 14,1951 A. WILD 2,564,415

ELECTRIC STEAM IRON Filed July 5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 14, 1951 A,WM, 2,564,415

ELECTRIC STEAM IRON Filed July 5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 14, '1951 ELECTRIC STEAM IRON Alfred Wild, Milwaukee,Wis.; Elizabeth Wild, executrix of said Alfred Wild, deceasedApplication July 5, 1945, Serial No. 603,355

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric steam irons of thecharacter in Which the same electric resistance element supplies heatboth for the generation of steam and to the smoothing surface of theiron.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an electric steamiron in which a water container and steam generator is separate from theother major portions of the combination and is readily removable andreplaceable therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric steam iron inwhich a unitary structure cooperates with the water container and actsas a water separator, a steam conduit, a connector and spacer for otherparts, and a pressure relief means for the steam generator.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric steam iron inwhich a single element acts both as a steam superheater and as a steamdistributor to the material to be ironed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric steam iron inwhich all operating elements of the iron are enclosed in a shell sorelated to such operating elements as to minimize the ow of heat theretofrom such elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a steam electric iron witha handle which encloses parts of the operating elements and is somounted on the shell as to minimize the flow of heat thereto from theshell.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric steam ironwhich is divided into a plurality of sub-assemblies so arranged andinterrelated as to be readily assembled and disassembled in apredetermined sequence of operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily adjustableconnection between the thermostat controlling stem of an electric ironand a thumb-wheel for varying the setting of the thermostat duringoperation of the iron.

And a further object of the invention is to provide an electric steamiron which is more eiiicient, more comfortable to the user, and moredurable and more readily kept in effective condition than the ironsknown heretofore.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparentfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view with a portion of the handle and shell brokenaway to show the structure of one of the sub-assemblies of the son;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken substantially on a centrallongitudinal plane but showing the handle in elevation except for aportion thereof broken away;

Fig. 3 is a partial view looking at the bottom of the sole plate;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on the plane IV--Ilv of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the plane V--V of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the plane VI-VI of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a partial top plan of the water container and steam generator;

Fig. 8 is a partial top plan of the iron on an enlarged scale with aportion thereof in section on the horizontal plane of broken line VIII-VIII of Fig. 9;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view partially in elevation and partially invertical section, and on an enlarged scale, of the shell enclosed spacetoward the rear of the iron and of the contents of such space;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the plane X-X of Fig. 9. to illustrate theconnection between the thermostat stem and thumb-wheel and its relationto the handle structure;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detailed view of portions of the structure ofFig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the taken spacer portion ofone sub-assembly of the iron,

taken on the plane XII- XII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is an elevation of the terminal block for the various electricalconnections within the iron;

Fig. 14 is a cross section taken on the vertical plane XIV-XIV of Fig.13 and showing the terminal block with one electric conductor connectedtherewith;

Fig. 15 is an eleva-tion of the electrical insulating and heat-resistiveportion of the terminal block;

Fig. 16 is a bottom view of a modified form of the steam super-heaterand distributor;

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional View taken on the plane XVII- XVII ofFig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a vertical section through a modied form of the waterseparator portion of one subassembly of the structure; and

Fig. 19 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the plane XIX-XIX ofFig. 18.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral 20designates the generally triangular sole plate of an iron in which isem-A bedded an electrical heating element 2|. The

sole plate is formed with sides sloping at any desired angle and whichare partially rabbetted along the upper edge, as indicated at 22, suchrabbet extending along all three sides of the plate but beinginterrupted at intervals by pads 23. A recess, preferably offrusto-conical shape, is formed in the sole plate of the iron from thebottom or smoothing surface thereof and an aperture is made through thesole plate into the recess and is interiorly threaded, such recess andaperture receiving other elements of the assembly to be described.

A water container and steam generator 2S is formed as a separate elementof the combination and is of such size that the bottom thereof seats onthat portion of the sole plate VWithin 'the area defined by the inneredge vof the rabbet 22. The other surfaces of the Water container areshaped to conform to substantially the desired outer contour of the ironand are of such dimensions that approximately a .pint of Water may be.placed in the container to fill the container up to the water levelmarked. Water is placed in the container 28 through a filling neck r29exterior-ly threaded to 'receive a cap 36 sealed to the end of the neckby way of a gasket 3 I. The upper portion of the water container 2.3 iskdepressed (see Fig. 7) to form a `specially shaped socket 32 with asimilarly shaped opening 33 the bottom thereof and dened by a flange 34.The container 28 is also :apertu'red through the bottom thereof forregistry with the hole :through the sole plate when the container -is inits assembled position thereon. The Water -container is preferably madeof a good heat conductive and :corrosion resisting material, such 4ascopper, formed as a Yseparate element or sub-'assembly of the iron as aWhole. Hence, such container maybe readily'removed and replaced forinspection, removal of ldeposits therein, or repair gof the container.

The socket 32 Vin the water container 28 is shaped to receiveasub-assembly or unit '40 which includes a water separating portion 4I,Aa steam condu'itportion 42, a spacer ystern 43, and a pressure reliefdevice 44. The water separator is formedwith walls 46 definingagroove-like space open at the bottom and yformed with holes `41 throughthe end walls'of `the-space, :the side Walls extending beyond the rendwalls for short distances to serve 'as .guards in .preventing splashingof Water into the space between the walls 46. Steam rising from theWater in vthe container 28 flows through the -I-'space lbetween theWalls -fat the bottom thereof. and through the holes 41. The steamreadily changes its direction of flow but any 'droplets-of water'carried by the'steam-'iinpinge on the walls 4B.and drop back into thebody of waterf'throughthe'bottom opening from the space betweenthewalls.

A `steam passage :'49 leads Vthrough the steam conduit portion 42 from`the water separator space into a space in the spacer stem portion "43.Such spacer stem portion extends from vthe bottom of 'the watercontainer 28 'through the top thereof,iand Ythe -upperend thereof isclosed by a gasketed plug 56 threaded into the stem which is interiorlycylindrical with 1an enlarged upper portion vforming 'a shoulder 51. Thestem is preferably streamlined yor has Ia pointed edge, as `shown-at 52in Fig. i12,/to avoid splashing of water when rearward movement of theYiron causes "forward movement 'of the water Ain the container, thusminimizing the entrainment of water vin the steam rising into thewaterl'separator. lThe-'spacer stemfis designed to receive a screw 54with a passage therethrough to form a portion of the steam conduit. Theend of the screw 54 is threaded into the hole through the sole plate andthe head of the screW acts on the shoulder 5l in the spacer 43 whendrawn up against a gasket 55 seated between the water container and thesole plate about the apertures therethrough.

A steam superheater and distributor plate 56 is mounted in the recess inthe sole plate 2li. The superheater and distributor plate 55 ispreferably formed with concentric grooves therein or slots therethroughdened by an apertured central portion 5l, a wall 58 concentric With the`central iportion and spaced therefrom, and a skirt portion :59. Theplate central portion 51 has a well-likespace 6U therein in registrywith the passage through the screw 54 and has a notch 6I leadingtherefrom. The wall 58 is notched, as at 62, and the skirt 59 isnotched, as at `63. The plate 56 Vis held firmly seated in the soleplate recessby screws 64 passing through the plate 56 -and into the`sole plate 2B. The central aperture Vin plate 55 receives the end ofthe screw 54 so that the slot 66 therein registers with notch B-l whenthe head of screw 54 rests on spacer shoulder 5I.

The superheater-distributor grooves or passages form a labyrinthlthrough which the steam must viiow to theexits 63 and .inwhich thesteam is Yheated before `delivery between the smoothing surface oftheiron and the `textile being ironed. Steam .is'delivered by way of theconduit 49 and passes through the screw-54 to discharge through thespace -66 `and the notch G-l into the groove from which the -steam .mayflow only through the notches 62 .into -the vrspace within .the skirt 59and the steam flows rfrom such space by way of the notches `63. It willbe noticed that the notches 62 do not register with the notch 6I andthat the .notches 52 and .63 are not in registry. The steam thereforefollows :a tortuous path in contact with the heated plate 56, thusdrying and .super-heating the .steam before contact with thematerialv`being ironed. The 'notches 63 are located at points which experimenthas .shown as being thebestf-positions Vfor uniformly delivering thesteam to the material :being ironed. lt will be understood .that:notches 'B2 and 63 are merely breaks in the edgesof wall 58 :andskirt-'59 so that the superheated steam, which tends to remain incontact -with the plate, may be caused to discharge therefrom Vat 'veryVslight pressure.

An opening r`is formed in the portion 44 of the unit sub-assembly 40 andis fd'ened by Ya flange 5J `an enlarged 'portionbf the opening above theflange being interiorly threaded. A plate 58 'of ductile material `offlow tcnsilestrength, such as zinc, is seated on theplanelupper'surfa'ce ofthe flangei. Afplug '69 of annularshape is'threaded into the Ahole Vand has alri'b 4l which is knifeedgedkandbears ontlfe'plat'efll to seal such plate on theflange. The pla'te''-'isaccordingly easily sealed on flange ci"butli'sreadily'frangible torelieve s'team 'ipressure `above a `predetermined value. If the steamArpressnre in fthe -water container andstearn -generat'or'QS exceeds apredetermined-'limit,the plate 68 gives Way to relieve such excessp'ressiire, 'thus fpreven'ting injury to the user bridal/nage to thev#walter container.

The water eontainerand-steam generator 26 is :enclosed in a fszhell41'l'3'pre'ferab'ly in `uniformly spaced relation to andconferming incontoursubstantially to the 'contour fof f-such -container. The interiorsurface of the shell may be coated or the space between the containerand shell may be filled with a heat-insulating material, if desired.Flow of heat from the water containersteam generator 28 to the shell isthus kept to a low value. The shell has no bottom wall and the edge 14of the shell wall rests on the pads 23 of the sole plate. Hence, suchedge is spaced from the sole plate along a major portion of its length,thus minimizing the flow of heat from the sole plate to the shell. Theshell is provided with an aperture conforming in shape to andregistering with socket 32 of the water container as well as withapertures for extension therethrough of the filling neck 29 and otherapertures, for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

The shell encloses a space to the rear of the water container 28 inwhich are located a thermostat, generally indicated at 15, and fullydisclosed in U. S. Patent 2,405,869, issued to me on August 13, 1946,and a terminal block to be described. The thermostat is suitably mountedon the sole plate and is adjusted by a stem 'Il extending through theshell and provided vwith a thumb-wheel 'I8 graduated to indicateddiferent settings of the thermostat and marked to identify diiferenttextiles for which the different thermostat settings are suited. Theterminal block. comprises a metal frame 80 with a plate 8| extendingfrom the side thereof for mounting on lugs 82 extending from the soleplate. A disclike member 83 of electrical insulating and heatresistivematerial, such as porcelain, is adapted to be retained in the framerandis formed with notches engaging with frame ears in a bayonettype oflock. The terminal block serves as the connecting point for ribbon-likeconnectors 8'! from the resistive element 2|, the thermostat '|8, andleads 8&5, to a source of electric current, such connections being byway of terminal bolts 85 extending through holes 88 in plate 8|. Ifdesired, the connectors 8'! may be passed through slots 88 in the disc83 before fastening by the bolts to others of the electrical conductors,the bolts 85 then being reversed, as may be seen by comparison of Figs.9 and 14.

A handle 9| is mounted on the shell and has pads 92 and 93 at fourpoints which are the only contacts of the handle on the shell, thehandle being spaced from the other portions of the shell surface. Thehandle is attached to the shell, as by screws 94, into the sub-assembly40 (see Fig. 2) and as by screws '(see Fig. 8). The handle is recessedto receive the steam conduit portion 42 of the unit 40 as well as thethermostat thumbwheel 18 and the stem TI, the leads 84, and so forth. Itwill be seen that the handle has flanges 98 particularly adjacent thepressure relief portion 44 of the sub-assembly 40, the anges beingspaced from the shell so that steam escaping upon breakage of the plate68 is readily vented but will not directly come into contact with thehands of the user of the iron. It Will be seen that the rear end of thehandle projects beyond the rear of the sole plate to serveas part of thesupport when the iron is placed in a vertical position. The portion ofthe handle 9| toward the rear of the iron has a channel-like spaceformed therein to receive the electric cord 84. Such cord extends fromthe terminal block 80, 8|, through a hole in the shell 73 and in thehandle, and into the handle space, and extends upwardly through suchspace, as indicated in Fig, 6, and projects from the handle through asleeve 91 of suitable flexible material. The transmission of strains onthe cord 84 to the terminal block 80, 8| is prefor receiving thethermostat, a space is provided.

in the handle 9| for receiving the thermostat stem 11 and thethumb-wheel 18. The end of the stem 'I1 projecting through the shell 13into the space in the handle, is threaded to receive a rectangularhublike member |05 which may be locked in any desired position on thestem thread by a nut |06. The stem is also provided with a flange |01,the purpose of which will appear hereinafter. A block |08 is ttted intothe handle space in such manner as to leave only sufficient Space forthe thumb-Wheel between the block and the handle. The block is formedwith a passage therethrough in which the hub |05 may rotate and isprovided with other passages for the flow of air therethrough forcooling purposes.. The upper surfaces of the block |08 have an offsetformed thereon to provide a bearing for the thumb-Wheel which also bearsin the handle, as indicated at |09. The thumb-wheel has a socket thereinin which the hub |05 ts in Vsliding relation so that rotation of theWheel produces rotation of the stem and also allows vertical movement ofthe stem as required by its threaded connection with the thermostatstructure. The block |08 is held in the handle by screws ||0. Inassembling the iron, the thermostat ste is adjusted to produce openingand closing of the thermostat at several given temperatures suitable,for example, for rayon and silk textiles. The hub |05 is then threadedon the stem and is locked in such position that it will receive thethumbwheel 18 in the position shown in Fig. 9. The wheel is then turnedto the off position at which the thermostat is open, and the splines ofa ring with a finger ||2 projecting therefrom, and previously loose onthe stem are engaged with a splined surface on the stem in such positionthat the finger contacts one side of a limit stop ||3 on the thermostatstructure. Two spaced lugs ||8 are attached to the rear end of the shellas by clinching over tabs thereon extending inside the shell. The lugsproject farther rearwardly than the handle 9| and provide two pointswhich are employed in connection with the end of the handle to stand theiron in vertical position. The lugs are preferably hollow and areprovided with a plurality of holes I8 for the flow of air therethrough.

The steam superheater and distributor may also be made as shown in Figs.16 and 17, in which a third Wall is provided, thus lengthening thepassage through which the steam must ow in contact with the plate andproducing a higher degree of superheat. The third Wall |2| definesanother groove and is provided with notches |22 and |23 through whichthe steam discharges into the space adjacent the skirt 59 from which thesteam escapes to the textile being ironed through the notches 63. Forsome uses even a higher degree of superheat may be desired in which casea further wall is provided and the notches in Walls between centralportion' and the skirt are suitably rearranged.

Figs. 18 and 19 show a modified form of water separator having aplurality of groove-like spaces dened by the side walls |30, |3|, |32,and |33, and the end Walls |38 and |31. The steam enters 7 the separatorby Way of the holes |50 and Mt and impi'nges on the walls |32 and |33,respece tively. The direction of ow of the steam is then changed so thatthe steam flows through the spaces between the Walls |30|f3| and |32|33,and impinges on the end Walls' |36 and |31. The direction of steam iiowis then changed to pass through the holes |42 and |43 to cause anotherimpingement of the steamon the walls |32 and |33 before the steam flowsthrough the final space into the steam passage 491.. 1

Plugs |45 and |46' close holes made in walls |3| and I 34 when drillingholes |112 and |43. It will be seen from the above that the direction ofsteam how is changed a number of times, thus securing a number ofimpingements of water droplets on the water separator walls and securinga number ofv changes in direction of ow of the steam and the waterdroplets, all of which contributes to the effective separation ofentrained water from the steam. The steam foW passage may be made evenmore tortuous if de sired, particularly a higher degree of super-v heatis desired. It will be understood that. the degree of superheat obtainedis a result of' the coaction of the Water separator andthe steamsuperheater plate and that change in eitherA of such elements affectsthe other.

It will be understood that the shapes of the. several parts hereinvshown are merelyl illustrative and may be varied as desired to securethe best balance of the iron and the most accept able appearancethereof. The material of the several parts, unless otherwise specified,will be any of those having the properties necessary'to secure thefunctioning described, and the surface finish of any of such parts maybe Whatever is desired. The water separato-r and the. steam super-heaterand the resistance element used Will be determined by the quantityofheat required to yield the desired quantity of steam at a givensuperheat andA to keep the temper ature ofthe smoothing surface of theiron at a desired value.

Although butone embodiment of the present invention has been illustratedand described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein Without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or from thev scope ofthe appendedclaims.

I claim:

l. An electric steam iron comprising a sole-v plate with an aperturetherethrough toA the smoothing surface thereof, a Water containerV andsteam generator mounted on. the sole plate, and a structure mounted inand forming a part of the water container and steam generator andincluding a portion Within the Water container open at the bottom forlreturn of Water to the water container, at least one of said Wallshaving an aperture therethrough adjacent the upper end of the space forthe flow of steam there'- through and into the space for providing achange in the direction of steam flow.

2. An electric steam iron comprising a sole plate having an aperturetherethrough to the smoothing surface thereof, a water container andsteam generator mounted on the sole plate, and a structure mounted onand forming part of the water container and steam generator andincluding a portion within the Water container separating liquid Waterfrom steam and a portion conducting steam therethrough, the waterseparatingportion being formed with end walls and side Walls extendingbeyond the end walls and defining a groove-like space open at the bottomabove the surface of the water in and 1 for return of water to the watercontainer, the

end Walls having apertures therethrough adjacent the upper end of thespace for the iiow ofr steam therethrough and into the space, theextending end walls providing a change in direction of steam flow.

3. An electric steam iron comprising a sole plate With an aperturetherethrough to the smoothing surface thereof, a Water container andsteam generator mounted on the sole plate, and a structure mounted inand forming a part of the Water container and'steam generator andincluding a portion Within the Water container separating liquid Waterfrom steam and a portion conducting steam therethrough, the Waterseparator portion defining a plurality of sets of closely spaced Wallsextending substantially to the top thereof andforming groove-like spacesopen at the bottom for return of water to the Water container, saidclosely spaced Walls having unaligned apertures therethrough adjacentthe upper ends thereof for providing a change in direction of steamflow.

ALFRED WILD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS lNumber Name Date 1,940,755` Knapp Dec. 26, 19332,024,856 Graham Dec. 17, 19.35 2,180,399 Clark Nov. 2l, 1939- 2,188,010Miller Jan. 23, 1940 Y 2,218,323 Eckstein Oct. 15, 1940 2,254,851-Miller Sept. 2, 1941 2,256,147. Kuhn et al. Sept. 16, 1941 2,311,164Ekstedt Feb.. 176, 1943v 2,343,555 Hudman Mar. 7, 1944` 2,350,452 EnvallJune 6, 1944 2,357,862' Wolcott etal. Sept.. 12, 1944 2,369,677 LuciaFeb. 20, 1945 2,373,248 Lucia Apr. 10, 19.45

